"There is not the slightest justice in your comparison, my dear sir. You were trying to marry your ward to a scoundrel; I want to marry her to an honourable man, and I offer you a certain price for your consent, because you have proved to me that it is necessary to give a certain price for your consent."
"And why, if the person you have selected for Mlle. de Beaumesnil is a suitable person?"
"The husband I have suggested, and that Mlle. de Beaumesnil desires, is a perfectly honourable man—"
"And his fortune, social position, etc.,—these are all that can be desired, I suppose."
"He is a lieutenant in the army, without either name or fortune, but he is one of the bravest and most honest men I know. He loves Ernestine, and she loves him in return. What objection have you to offer?"
"What objection have I to offer? A mere nobody, whose only possessions are his cloak and sword, marry the richest heiress in France! Never. Do you hear me? Never will I consent to such an unequal marriage! M. de Mornand at least had a fair prospect of becoming a minister, an ambassador, or president of the Chamber, monsieur."
"So you see, baron, I was very wise to offer you a handsome price for your consent."
"But according to you, monsieur, in thus allowing myself to be influenced by motives of personal aggrandisement, I should be acting very—"
"Disgracefully. Still, that does not matter, provided Ernestine's happiness can be assured."
"And it is a person capable of an act you consider so dishonourable that you dare to propose to the electors of your district as their representative!" exclaimed the baron, triumphantly. "You would so abuse their confidence as to give them, as a representative of our party, a man who—"